Stanbury is setting the record straight. After next-door neighbor Escazu moved to Gateway Plaza earlier this month, the gem of a restaurant jumped on the space and signed a lease. But instead of expanding Stanbury, the owners will be opening a completely different concept. Because when you have something as unique and palatable as Stanbury—a regular on our annual Best Restaurants list—it only makes sense to mastermind another marvel.
“Stanbury will stay exactly the same and is not expanding or changing in any way,” said co-owner Joseph Jeffers in an exclusive chat with Raleigh Magazine. “As special as it is, I’d rather keep something small and personal as opposed to growth for the sake of growth.”
Slated to open sometime next year, the new space will have a different name and menu, which the team is currently plugging away at. “We have some ideas,” teased Jeffers, also noting the pair will “play off each other,”—with chef Drew Maykuth helming the kitchen at both. And rest assured, that culinary creativity for which Stanbury is known will keep firing on all burners.
As for Escazu’s relocation, Jeffers says they’re already deeply missed. “They’ve been close friends and neighbors since the beginning,” he reflects. “We’ve leaned on each other for 13 years, and are excited for their new chapter.” And the locale’s next chapter will certainly be an exciting one too.
“We’ll be doing a completely different concept next door—a concept that we will hone and grow naturally over time as we have done with Stanbury.” —Joseph Jeffers
A long-vacant ground-floor retail space at Bloc[83] is finally getting a tenant. Set to fill just over 6,000 square feet of the development that now houses Dram & Draught, Incendiary Brewing Co., and First Watch is 83 SOUTH, a brand-new “night on the town” experience from locals G. Brooks Splawn, Banks Sinclair and Luke Hanson.
The trio came together in 2023 with the idea of curating the reimagined restaurant and bar—since tapping local restaurateur Anthony Rapillo and Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe to consult on the concept after spending many a business meeting at the duo’s DTR restaurant Flour & Barrel.
So dubbed for its location at Bloc[83], 83 SOUTH technically combines two commercial properties into one—setting the stage of a “thought-provoking, grown and sexy atmosphere,” says Rapillo, with varying elevated spaces upping the cool factor. He teases two huge bars, private dining and a wine room.
A bona fide day-to-night destination, the hot spot will feature lunch, a vibey DJ weekend brunch, and an upscale dinner menu dishing American-inspired small plates—plus craft cocktails, beer and wine. Come 10:30/11pm, tables and chairs will give way to a sophisticated adults-centric lit (literally) late-night lounge till 2am.
“83 SOUTH hopes to bring an elevated environment and atmosphere—the likes of which Raleigh has been craving,” muses Rapillo, “where burgeoning ideas can manifest, grow and build.” Fitting for the new kid on the “bloc.”
Toes in the water, ass in the sand… and a snack and a bevy in hand—obv. If you’re not posted up at a waterfront bar or resto, is it even summer?! Tour some of our fave sip and snack spots at NC lakes and beaches to lock into full-on vacay mode.
Beachy Keen
Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant Come for the staple “Sanitary” tee, stay for the famed “deluxe shore dinner” (fried flounder, shrimp, oysters, bay scallops and soft crab)—or any of the fresh high-quality seafood caught by local fishermen!—at this treasured Crystal Coast resto on the water.
Sweet Spot Got a sweet tooth? This Emerald Isle, ahem, sweet spot has the scoop. Indulge in 50+ flavors of Hershey’s ice cream (make it a milkshake if you’re feelin’ frisky) or 70+ kinds of saltwater taffy.
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar Booze and bands… name a better duo—we’ll wait. This hidden paradise at Carolina Beach is known for its fab food and open-air live tunes, with drink specials on select days to boot (hey, $4 well liquor Wednesdays!). How bewitching.
Britts Donut Shop For the best doughnuts in NC hands down, head to this Carolina Beach boardwalk walkup counter, known for its homemade glazed doughnuts that have been satisfying beachgoers for over 80 years (!). Trust us, you do-nut want to pass up a bag of these babies while lazing the day away in the sand.
The Fat Pelican For a “beach trailer park chic” vibe, look no further than this Carolina Beach mainstay, offering the best beer selection in the area. Come for a brew every day from 11am to 2am (hair of the dog, anyone?) and/or grab some to enjoy on the water.
Ceviche’s This colorful beach shack just over the bridge from Wrightsville Beach serves up a delicious Panamanian menu inspired by owner Hunter Tiblier’s upbringing in Panama. Nourish your body with tapas, empanadas, seafood dishes and, of course, ceviches, all made with only the freshest of ingredients.
Ida Thai Cuisine This hidden gem at Carolina Beach serves up some of the best Thai food in the area—think chicken satay, spicy basil noodles, som tom (papaya salad) and a multitude of curries. The crowd-favorite coconut cake is heavenly—and a must-have dessert after any meal.
SUNdays No Sunday scaries here. By day, this South End WB cafe serves coffee, lattes, milkshakes, smoothies and acai bowls in rotating flavors. By night, come out for wine and local beer, plus grub from area food trucks.
Lake Life
Hello, Sailor It’s all smooth sailing at bright and sunny Lake Norman waterfront resto and bar Hello, Sailor, open seven days a week for Southern-inspired and seafood-focused fare (think NC peel ’n eat shrimp, and crispy flounder and chips)—plus cocktails, blended bevs, beer and wine. Pro tip: Pop a squat on the deck for primo sunset views.
The Gardens Restaurant Feast your eyes on gorge views of the Bald Mountain Golf Course while feasting on breakfast, lunch or dinner at this Rumbling Bald resto near Lake Lure. Faves include the pimento cheese BLT, casarecce pasta, and spinach and artichoke dip.
Bagel Boat It doesn’t get much better than bagels and boats. Hit up this Lake Wylie spot before spending the day on the water for a day that’s sure to be a hole-in-one.
LakeHouse Restaurant Home is where the lakeside eats are. Dock and dine on burgers, sandwiches, bayfront platters, seafood and more—then wash it all down with a lakeside libation (or two)—at this popular Lake Lure outpost.
If you’re cruisin’ down to Wrightsville Beach, you might as well venture into Wilmington for some sips and snacks as well. Here’s some of our recs.
Seabird Feelin’ salty? You’ll have no issue seasing the day at husband-and-wife team Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton’s historic downtown Wilmington seafood restaurant and oyster bar. Stop by in the morning before a day at the beach for grab-and-go pastries and biscuits baked fresh by Clopton, or tuck in at night for raw and baked oysters, small plates, entries and more.
Kipos Hellenic Cuisine Prolific restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group promises to Greek you out—coastal style—with a menu celebrating the food of his’ homeland of Greece, with an added focus on the sea, naturally (think spanakopita, moussaka, raw oysters and seafood entrees). A lush partly covered patio, intimate herb and flower terrace, and romantic gazebos up the Mediterranean flair. Opa!
Dram & Draught Wilmington The uberpopular go-to neighborhood bar (and perennial voted Raleigh Mag Best Bar Overall) went coastal last year with a two-story (!) Port City location featuring the same vast whiskey collection and seasonal craft cocktail menu as all Dram sip spots—NTM the same cool, comfortable and sexy style and vibe that we all know and love.
Tarantellis Dubbed the best Italian food in Wilmington and known for its welcoming feel, the family-owned ristorante boasts an extensive selection of authentic Italian cuisine— all pastas and pastries made in house, of course. The Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiana—pasta tossed in a molten cheese wheel—will transport you straight to the boot. Buon’appetito!
Waterman’s Brewing Company Well-known NC brewmaster Bob High concocts a variety of easy-sipping beers that go down effortlessly after a day on the water. Choose from the Sea Love Sour made with locally harvested sea salt; Stoker’s Select, a passion fruit summer blonde ale; and more. Plus, enjoy daily specials like 75 cent wings on Wednesdays and half-price wine bottles on Thursdays.
Wake Forest’s outdoor aqua park is a must-visit this summer.
Prepare to have your very own Wipeout moment. Wake Forest’s uber-popular Fantasy Lake Adventure Park brings the fun—and maybe a fair share of bruises (worth it)—to your summer.
Bounce over to the former rock quarry for inflatables, floating cabanas, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving, cliff jumping and more to fit your fair weather fancy—plus an entire new park section this year boasting fresh activities; a floating island; four additional Aquabanas; and El Jefe, an addrenaline-rushing waterslide as tall as the cliff jump (!).
“It’s active, open-water recreation—very much back to nature,” says Commercial Recreation Specialists President Ron Romens. “We’re using the quarry—which is a beautiful property—and they’ve done a great job at really creating a destination for the day. Plus, it’s sustainable and active recreation!”
Rather wave from the shore? Stay dry while still soaking in the fun via sand loungers, pickleball, picnic shelters, an overlook deck and rotating food trucks for refueling post-soak.
“It’s fun for everybody,” maintains owner Daniel Cox. “My kids and my nieces and nephews love it. They’re on it; I’m on it—and it brings something for everybody.” See ya on the water! gofantasylake.com
Fun fact: The beach features 40 tractor-trailers worth of sand transported from Topsail Beach.
North Hills on the rise with new residential tower.
“Luxury” has become a popular buzzword in the local residential development world—but Kane Realty Corporation’s newly announced The Strand in the Park District at North Hills promises to fully deliver on its promise of luxe living… and then some.
With Atlanta-based Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio leading the design, the architecture firm is taking the aesthetics and trends seen in the ATL market—and beyond—and introducing them into the 2027-slated 20-story, 362-apartment project, which includes studio; one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts; and penthouses.
“We’ve certainly been inspired by some of the larger metropolitan areas—especially across the Sunbelt—that may be a few more years advanced than our market, and starting to bring those amenities here to Raleigh and stay on the cutting edge of what residential developers are doing across the rest of the country,” says Kane’s Kallie Walker, adding the tower is already poised to “stack up well against other high-rises in North Hills with top-of-the-line finishes.”
Case in point: The Strand’s lineup of amenities are taking Raleigh living next-level, delivering elements not seen in other local apartment buildings. Think a hidden speakeasy accessible only to top-floor penthouse residents, each treated to their own wine locker (!), plus two additional club rooms available to all residents: one on the sixth-floor amenity deck with the pool and fitness center, and another on the 18th level.
Also unique to the building, the fitness center and club room will serve up an indoor/outdoor connection, in addition to a lap pool—with what will be “the largest outdoor amenity deck certainly in North Hills, if not in Raleigh as a whole,” maintains Walker. Not to mention given its orientation, The Strand will have some of the best views of DTR that North Hills—or anywhere—has to offer.
Its name a nod to NC’s textile industry, The Strand will embrace a sophisticated industrial feel throughout, seen first and foremost in its distinctive exterior architecture—featuring cross bracing that’ll add interest and excitement to the development’s entire skyline. “It’s like a true structural representation of what’s happening inside the concrete of the building that will be reflected on the outside,” explains Walker.
That fabric theme will continue inside, with textural moments throughout the interior spaces and local art. “A lot of the feel to it has to do with integrating into the community itself,” shares RJTR Director of Marketing Chizoba Ibeanusi—“blending the aesthetic of the design with the overall neighborhood, as well as really using materials that give that industrial feel.”
On the public-facing side, The Strand will bring much-needed dining to the area via a potential restaurant partner—a national brand with a local presence, says Walker—already eyeing the whopping 9,000-square-foot ground-floor retail space, with outdoor space stretching the entire front.
And for those concerned about losing the surface lot The Strand is replacing, those short-term retail spaces will be covered in the ~500-spot five-story integrated deck—plus all the short-term parking at Park Central and the Advance Auto Parts tower.
“We continue to develop in North Hills because the demand continues to be there,” claims Walker. “There’s been a lot of chatter about the pipeline and apartment deliveries especially over the past two-ish years—but we’re excited for The Strand to be the only high-rise delivering in the market in 2027.”
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